This is our favourite town in the south island. Quieter than Queenstown but still fun-filled it is a true Kiwi destination. The area sports unspoiled rivers, tumbling glaciers and is crowned by Mr. Aspiring at 3035m. Scenery is eye candy and there is plenty to keep you busy from tramping to golf, fishing, water sports, great restaurants and bars and skiing in the winter. We first wanted to visit the area because our daughter, who was on the Canadian National Cross Country ski team was stationed there for training. Two days there turned out not to be enough. We will go back.
One walk that to take in is the Rob Roy Track (3 hours return) with its swing bridge, waterfalls and glaciers. The drive out from Wanaka is over 1 hour, crosses streams and Gets down to single track dirt. Fill up your tank. We had a rental that was giving great mileage above the half tank line. Not so much below and we discovered that 1/3 is an illusion. There are no gas stations along the way and when we pulled into the Rob Roy parking lot the warning light came on. This is a worry. On the way out we stopped to talk to some ranchers working with a chain saw. It runs on gas so they might have some right? Well, only if you want it mixed with oil. They told us that all the sheep stations around ran on diesel but there was a hell pad that might have petrol “IF” they were there. We got to the helipad which was locked but a kind grannie pulled up beside us in her pickup. She was taking her grandson into town. She said they had gas but “it was going to be dear”. Undaunted by any price she might extract we agreed and she took up back to the equipment shed. I asked for just a few litres to get us back and she said that “you want to make sure you have enough”. What a dear. Almost 3/4 of a tank later she would take no more than $20 when I debated that she gave us more like $50. Just like a Kiwi to reach out and help. But she made it clear not to tell our friends to show up. She will therefore remain anonymous.
Plenty of other hikes in the area. Matukituki Valley has both short and long tramps with overnight huts. Mr. Aspiring National Park is 3500 sq km of beauty for hiking and biking, Minaret Burn Track, Mt. Iron to name a few. You can also find rafting, kayaking and canyoning activity for great fun.
We had a great stay at the Wanaka Homestead with its wooden interiors, oriental rugs and eco-friendly accommodation. A hearty rich breakfast included to get you going for the day. Plenty of other places to choose from in and around town according to you budget. And you won’t have trouble finding good dining in town. At the top end is the Botswana Butchery which can’t be beat. But you can find pretty much whatever your palate desires including curry, Japanese, fresh seafood, pasta, pizza, and soup to nuts. Oh, and don’t forget the wine. Some of the finest wine valley’s in the country and in the next valley over.